Over the last few weeks I've been in the eastern part of South Africa- a
mostly Zulu area called Ingwavuma, through Swaziland, up into
Mozambique, back to Ingwavuma, and now back in Pretoria. Below are some
snapshots of a few thing that I have had the opportunity to be a part
of:
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Giraffes- this piece is coming home with me :) |
Fancy Stitch (http://www.fancy.org.za/ to learn more) was started about 12 years ago and was birthed out of the need for women to learn a skill to provide for their families. Since 2001, Fancy Stitch has been able to employ/empower over 400 women with earned income and to send beautiful African artwork to many places in the world. They are not yet in America, and I hope to help as a liaison when I'm back in the US to see if there are open markets that would like to purchase and sell their lovely handiwork.
Located in the heart of the KwaZulu-Natal, the Fancy Stitch building which was once a notorious bar and brothel has now been transformed into a place of hope for many women. While there I was able to work in the community garden, getting it ready for planting, pray in the prayer house, and purchase some lovely artwork to support the women and bring home to you!
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| Memorial to the FS women who have died of AIDS |
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| Pump House turned into Prayer House |
I also got to be a part of the beginning phase of the transformation of an unused house in the bush of Ingwavuma, SA...
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| Naomi, Maryna's and Daniel's daughter and Arno applying coat #1. |
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| Maryna's creativity spreading |
...Into Shalom House, a pro-life home where young pregnant women can live and get care and support throughout their time of pregnancy. So often we say that we are against abortion and for life, but we do very little to give these vulnerable women another option. One of things that left the biggest impression on me in my time in Ingwavuma was the heart not only of real concern for others that the believers showed but also the action that resulted. Understanding the undeserved, unconditional love that God has poured out on us should overflow out of us into the broken world around us.
Using some of the funds that were given, we were able to bless the future Shalom House with some beautiful paints that has already begun to brighten up the building to make it a place of encouragement and hope for young women. It will be a very simple building like the vast majority of the houses in this region of South Africa without electricity or indoor toilets, but with Maryna's art skills and these paints it is sure to be a lovely and welcoming place of peace (Shalom). Maryna will have to update us with pictures as the project progresses.
Maputo, Mozambique: a visit to Iris Ministry (irismin.org)
Seeing how large and well organized the Iris site is(now one of many throughout Mozambique and the world), it is amazing to hear how small its beginning was. My basic understanding is that it started with Heidi Baker feeling led by God to come and sit on the street corner in Maputo. Seeing hopelessness and death all around, she began to cry out for the children and felt Him say to bring them into her home. Through many challenges God has shown Himself more than faithful to provide and give good futures to countless children.
Always Enough is Rolland and Heidi Baker's autobiography- I haven't read it yet but hope to soon.
My biggest impression from hearing the Baker's story and seeing one of the sites first hand was encouragement that God is the one that does the work. Just like the loaves and the fish, even today, when we give Him the very little that we have, 'the not enough', He breaks it and multiplies and He receives the glory for doing the impossible.
I have posted many more pictures on my facebook (Ginny Davenport) of Moz. and Ingwavuma.
